Roads to Quoz

An American Mosey

By: William Least Heat-Moon

Narrated by: William Least Heat-Moon

About a quarter century ago, a previously unknown writer named William Least Heat-Moon wrote a book called Blue Highways. Acclaimed as a classic, it was a travel book like no other. Quirky, discursive, endlessly curious, Heat-Moon had embarked on an American journey off the beaten path. Sticking to the small places via the small roads -- those colored blue on maps -- he uncovered a nation deep in character, story, and charm.

Now, for the first time since Blue Highways, Heat-Moon is back on the backroads. Roads to Quoz is his lyrical, funny, and touching account of a series of American journeys into small-town America.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Sherman Howard perfectly delivers the author's saunter through the states. Howard's untroubled, unhurried exposition allows the listener to bask in the splendid descriptions (sometimes overdone) descriptions of 'all things Quoz-things strange, incongrous, or peculiar"It's like sitting on Grandpa's knee or hearing the ghost of Charles Kuralt exulting in all the wonderful tiny things that make up the fabric of America."—AudioFile

So close to being an excellent book

I loved Blue Highways. I expected this book would offer the same inquisitiveness that made Blue Highways so memorable. Overall I really enjoyed the book. Unfortunately the occasional digs that were made at people who were of different political or religious persuasions was off putting. The sad part is that these insults-which were generally made in half hearted attempts at humor Would probably fill less than 5 pages of this 500 page book, so they were very much unnecessary, didn’t add anything to the story, and took this from a 5 star to a 3 star. That being said, if I ever get to Columbia, I will still want to see WLHM’s archives!

Great!

If you want to go on a road trip, but don't actually have the time or ability to do so right now, than this is the perfect book for you!

Pay Thoughtful Attention

The perceptions, the breadth and depth of stories The Perspicacity of WLHM make this a book to ponder on and about. And to depend on to highlight - or lowlight, as the case may be - those places fondly recollected but most likely misremembered that have transformed into something more and less than they ever were. And the ways we each, individually and as a disparate conglomerate, accomplish those transformations. And Their Consequences. Pay Attention Thoughtful Listener.

Totally Disappointing -- Save Your Money

Blue Highways was a great book written with respect for the characters and the reader. This waste of ink was written by a person who was keenely aware of his obvious superiority and intolerant of any differing opinions. It's hard to enjoy a book whose author holds the views of others in such low regard. I struggled to endure until the too long delayed finish.

Blue Highways this is NOT

At roughly halfway through, I found I'd fast-forwarded through as much of the book as I'd read (if not more) -- time to move on. Lots and lots of historical background, as well as personal asides, between the moments of actual travel narrative.